Correction

IN the commentary entitled “A professional journey of passion with Bernama” (New Sunday Times, May 28), a few quotations were wrongly attributed to Bernama chairman Datuk Seri Azman Ujang. Those paragraphs, in fact, represent the views of columnist Datuk Ahmad A. Talib.

The paragraphs in question should have appeared as follows:

Let’s hear what Bernama chairman Datuk Seri Azman Ujang has to say.

“Bernama was like a university to journalists in the days when schools of mass communications were unheard of.

“And I can’t think of a better place to learn the trade because over here, journalists have to be bilingual (English and Malay).

“Career-wise, especially for those with a passion for journalism, Bernama gives them the satisfaction because one gets to see his or her news in more than one newspaper, besides appearing on radio and television.” (Ed’s note: Azman’s comments end here.)

Bernama was a stepping stone for many of its good journalists. This was not by design but due to the natural supply and demand situation in the job market.

Some journalists became press secretaries to ministers, while others were drawn to the private sector where they gained more exposure and better salaries and perks.

There were those who joined academia and became lecturers and rose through the ranks to become professors and deans.

If I recall correctly, one Bernama journalist became press secretary and later, a cabinet minister several years ago.

At least one Bernama employee has moved into politics and ended up becoming a deputy minister. Bernama has spread its wings far and wide.

We apologise for the error.